Some of you will know that I support a local day centre in Farncombe. The day centre, like many others in England, is facing challenges about its future. I'm not allowed to say any more than that at the moment.
It has struck me as somewhat odd that a publicly funded organisation is not more integrated into the local community. Over the years, it has been allowed to become isolated, relying heavily on volunteers and rather inward looking. And that is as much as I'm allowed to say on that - for the time being at least.
I have been talking to local people and thinking about ways of bringing the day centre into the heart of the community of Farncombe. It shouldn't be seen just as a place for older people to get a hot meal in a safe and warm environment, although that is a very important aspect of the work of the day centre.
I believe that it could be so much more than that.
I believe that partnerships can be formed with local businesses and community leaders, the pub, the golf course, the leisure centre. All of these people and places will have met someone in their day-to-business and personal lives who could benefit from the services provided at the day centre, yet few if any, will ever refer an older person to the day centre.
The trouble is that there is a fine balance to being able to provide a quality service, on a shoestring budget, and therefore more efficient ways of working must be found, more grants must be applied for, more fundraising must take place, more volunteers are needed and more people from all walks of life in the Farncombe community must use the centre, and must value its continued existence.
Notwithstanding all of the above, and the drive to bring new activities, groups and societies to the day centre, one other way for the day centre to be seen as a key location in Farncombe could be as a foodbank. I know there is a need for this in Farncombe and Godalming, and I have been keen to work on a local food bank for some time. Winter is coming and the need will soon be even greater. Perhaps some of the local churches would like to partner such a venture. One suggestion might be that the day centre could open on a Saturday morning as a food bank and a place to get a cooked breakfast or home-made soup lunch; one day a week for needy families in the community to meet and be supported.
What do you think? Could it work? Would we get enough support? Would people come to use the facility?
I'd love your feedback on this and other ways that the day centre could get the buzz going in Farncombe.
Disclaimer: The views expressed here are entirely my own personal views, and are in no way the views of the Farncombe Day Centre management team and committee.